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Slow-controlled release fertilizers are experiencing a popularity in rice cultivation due to their effectiveness in yield and quality with low environmental costs. However, the underlying mechanism by which these fertilizers regulate grain quality remains inadequately understood. This study investigated the effects of five fertilizer management practices on rice yield and quality in a two-year field experiment: CK, conventional fertilization, and four applications of slow-controlled release fertilizer (UF, urea formaldehyde; SCU, sulfur-coated urea; PCU, polymer-coated urea; BBF, controlled-release bulk blending fertilizer). In 2020 and 2021, the yields of UF and SCU groups showed significant decreases when compared to conventional fertilization, accompanied by a decline in nutritional quality. Additionally, PCU group exhibited poorer cooking and eating qualities. However, BBF group achieved increases in both yield (10.8 t hm−2 and 11.0 t hm−2) and grain quality reaching the level of CK group. The adequate nitrogen supply in PCU group during the grain-filling stage led to a greater capacity for the accumulation of proteins and amino acids in the PCU group compared to starch accumulation. Intriguingly, BBF group showed better carbon–nitrogen metabolism than that of PCU group. The optimal nitrogen supply present in BBF group suitable boosted the synthesis of amino acids involved in the glycolysis/ tricarboxylic acid cycle, thereby effectively coordinating carbon–nitrogen metabolism. The application of the new slow-controlled release fertilizer, BBF, is advantageous in regulating the carbon flow in the carbon–nitrogen metabolism to enhance rice quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fertilizer management is commonly suggested as an option to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions in rice fields. Controlled-release fertilizers are the best choice among various fertilizers for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in rice fields without impacting crop output. Therefore, in the current study, the novel controlled-release potassium blended fertilizers (CRKBF) at the levels CRK1: 180 kg K ha−1, resin potassium nitrate, 112.5 kg P ha−1 resin phosphorus fertilizers from superphosphate, CRK2: 90 kg K ha−1, 50% reduced resin potassium chloride, 112.5 kg P ha−1 resin phosphorus fertilizers from superphosphate, CRK3: 90 kg K ha−1, 50% reduced resin potassium nitrate, 112.5 kg P ha−1 resin phosphorus fertilizers from superphosphate were used in comparison to CK0: where no fertilizer was applied, CK1: 180 kg K ha−1, K locally recommended fertilizers from potassium nitrate and CK2: P and K blended fertilizers, 112.5 kg P ha−1, phosphorus from superphosphate and 180 kg K ha−1 from potassium chloride, to find the best possible way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions without affecting the yield of rice. During a 2-yr period, CRKBF amendments significantly increased rice yield and its related components, i.e. panicles m−2, grains panicle−1, 1000-grain weight, seed setting rate, and dry matter accumulation. Among CRKBF, CRK1 treatments recorded higher grain yields of 11.4 t ha−1 and 10.7 t ha−1, followed by CRK2 (11.1 t ha−1 and 10.5 t ha−1) and CRK3 (10.7 t ha−1 and 10.3 t ha−1), respectively. Considering greenhouse gas emissions, CRKBF treatments significantly reduced methane emissions. CRK1 mitigated methane emissions by 33%, CRK2 reduced methane emissions by 25%, and CRK3 decreased methane emissions by 21%. In terms of nitrous oxide emissions, CRK1 and CRK3 treatments increased nitrous oxide emissions, while CRK2 treatment reduced nitrous oxide emissions. CRK1 enhanced nitrous oxide emissions by 56% followed by CRK3 which increased nitrous oxide emissions by 30%, whereas CRK2 reduced nitrous oxide emissions by 21%. Among CRKBF, CRK2 has the potential to mitigate area-scale global warming potential (area-scale GWP) by 21% and yield-scale global warming potential (yield-scale GWP) by 30%. The results of the study indicate that amendment of CRKBF having 50% K from potassium chloride (CRK2) to paddy fields is an effective approach to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from paddy fields without affecting the rice yield and can be a promising alternative to ordinary commercial fertilizers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ammonia (NH3) volatilization from paddy fields is a major issue which leads to poor fertilizer use efficiency and is considered a severe threat to the atmosphere. The previous research studies gave importance to the use of nitrogen fertilizers to mitigate NH3 volatilization, while very little emphasis was given to the role of other fertilizers, such as phosphorus (P), for the alleviation of NH3 volatilization in rice fields. Considering P importance herein, we conducted two consecutive field experiments using an innovative, controlled-release, phosphorus-blended fertilizer (CRPBF, with levels CRP0, CRP1, and CRP2). We compared CP0 (in which no fertilizer was applied), CP1 (112.5 kg P ha−1 P of locally recommended fertilizers), and CP2: (P and K blended fertilizers) to determine the best possible way to reduce NH3 volatilization without affecting the yield and quality of rice. The results of the study suggested that the yield of rice increased significantly with the application of CRP1 (11.11 t ha−1) and CRP2 (11.99 t ha−1). The addition of CRP1 and CRP2 to the rice field also enhanced yield-related components, i.e., panicle weight, total spikelets per unit area, spikelets per panicle, and above-ground biomass. CRP0 showed a lower yield and related components when compared to CP2. The addition of CRP1 and CRP2 demonstrated lower protein contents when compared to other treatments. The CRPBF application improved starch content and taste scores, and reduced the chalkiness of the rice grain during both years. The results showed a decreasing trend in NH3 volatilization from CRPBF amendments by improving the nitrogen use efficiency traits when compared to other treatments: CRP2, CRP1, and CRP0 reduced NH3 volatilization by 45%, 35%, and 15%, respectively. The results of this study indicate that, due to the episodic nature of NH3 volatilization, CRPBFs with 50% P and 100% P can markedly reduce NH3 volatilization from paddy fields without compromising the yield and quality of the crop, and could be a promising alternative to the ordinary commercial fertilizers used in rice fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Our aim was to determine the incidence of difficult intubation during pregnancy-related surgery at a high-risk, high-volume teaching institution. Methods: Airway experience was analyzed among patients who had pregnancy-related surgery under general anesthesia from January 2001 through February 2006. A difficult airway was defined as needing three or more direct laryngoscopy (DL) attempts, use of the additional airway equipment after the DL attempts, or conversion to regional anesthesia due to inability to intubate. Airway characteristics were compared between patients with and without a difficult airway. In addition, pre- and postoperative airway evaluations were compared to identify factors closely related to changes from pregnancy. Results: In a total of 30,766 operations, 2,158 (7%) were performed with general anesthesia. Among these, 1,026 (47.5%) were for emergency cesarean delivery (CD), 610 (28.3%) for nonemergency CD, and 522 (24.2%) for non-CD procedures. A total of 12 patients (0.56%) were identified as having a difficult airway. Four patients were intubated with further DL attempts; others required mask ventilation and other airway equipment. Two patients were ventilated through a laryngeal mask airway without further intubation attempts. Ten of the 12 difficult airway cases were encountered by residents during their first year of clinical anesthesia training. There were no maternal or fetal complications except one possible aspiration. Conclusion: Unanticipated difficult airways accounted for 0.56% of all pregnancy-related surgical patients. More than 99.9% of all obstetric patients could be intubated. A difficult airway is more likely to be encountered by anesthesia providers with <1 year of experience. Proper use of airway equipment may help secure the obstetric airway or provide adequate ventilation. Emergency CD did not add an additional level of difficulty over nonemergency CD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine the role of myocardial interleukin-6 (IL-6) in myocardial inflammation and dysfunction after burn complicated by sepsis, we performed 40% total body surface area contact burn followed by late (7 days) Streptococcus pneumoniae pneumonia sepsis in wild-type (WT) mice, IL-6 knockout (IL-6 KO) mice, and transgenic mice overexpressing IL-6 in the myocardium (TG). Twenty-four hours after sepsis was induced, isolated cardiomyocytes were harvested and cultured in vitro, and supernatant concentrations of IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were measured. Cardiomyocyte intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) and sodium ([Na+]i) concentrations were also determined. Separate mice in each group underwent in vivo global hemodynamic and cardiac function assessment by cannulation of the carotid artery and insertion of a left ventricular pressure volume conductance catheter. Hearts from these mice were collected for histopathological assessment of inflammatory response, fibrosis, and apoptosis. In the WT group, there was an increase in cardiomyocyte TNF-α, [Ca2+]i and [Na+]i after burn plus sepsis, along with cardiac contractile dysfunction, inflammation, and apoptosis. These changes were attenuated in the IL-6 KO group but accentuated in the TG group. We conclude myocardial IL-6 mediates cardiac inflammation and contractile dysfunction after burn plus sepsis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]